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Bhandarkar to make village-themed movie for Manoj Kumar

By Joginder Tuteja

Mumbai, June 3 (IANS) Acclaimed director Madhur Bhandarkar says he will make a realistic film based in an Indian village to fulfil his promise to yesteryears' actor Manoj Kumar.

"He always tells me to make a realistic movie set in the villages of India. He wants it to be made in the way I believe in telling a story. I have promised him that if an interesting subject comes in, I will certainly make a movie on those lines," Bhandarkar told IANS.

Manoj Kumar is a fan of Bhandarkar's films and had praised his work in a recent interview, saying he is one of the very few directors in Bollywood who could deliver good movies.

"It's a big honour for me to be recognised by someone as senior and respected as Manoj Kumar. I have myself been a huge fan of his and still remember how as a kid I walked all the way to watch 'Roti Kapda Aur Makaan' in a theatre and that too all alone," said Bhandarkar.

Apparently, this is not the first time Manoj Kumar has praised him. Though the two have never met, they have been in constant touch over telephone ever since the director made "Page 3" in 2005.

"Whether it was 'Page 3', 'Corporate', 'Traffic Signal' or 'Fashion', Manoj-ji has kept track of each of my films. He has liked my work but what I respect most is the fact that he has discussed each of my films with me as a critic. He always amazes me with the way he reacts to particular scenes from my films," said Bhandarkar.

"He remembers not just the dialogues but also expressions of actors. For someone of his stature to take out time for my films and share his views with me at length; now that only helps me grow further as a filmmaker," he added.

A mutual admiration society seems to be pretty much on the cards as Bhandarkar gets nostalgic about Manoj Kumar's work from the past.

"I would have watched his films like 'Shor', 'Upkar', 'Purab Aur Paschim' multiple number of times. There is always something to learn from his cinema because of the way he used to incorporate drama in his narrative," he said.